Relatives of soldiers and officers taking part in the army’s operation in eastern Ukraine in front of the presidential administration office in Kiev Jul. 16

KIEV, July 17. /ITAR-TASS/. About 200 relatives of Ukrainian soldiers serving in the 72nd Brigade in eastern Ukraine are picketing the presidential administration office in Kiev and demanding a meeting with President Petro Poroshenko. The relatives said the servicemen were complaining about the absence of proper equipment, food and drinking water.

On Wednesday, July 16, relatives of the soldiers and officers who are taking part in the army’s operation in eastern Ukraine also held a picket in front of the presidential administration office. More than 200 mothers and wives are demanding that the units fighting in Donbass be rotated and their sons and husbands be returned home.

“Only rank-and-file citizens are fighting on the frontline” while high-ranking officials keep their children away from combat, the protesters said. They were also angered by the conditions in which the troops were living, including the absence of drinking water.

Yesterday’s meeting with a deputy defense minister did not satisfy them and they are now demanding a meeting with the president.